It was ten years ago this Wednesday that five students were shot and killed in a Northern Illinois University classroom. Retired NIU President John Peters returned to the school this weekend to take part in a number of observances.

Peters was the public face of NIU in the difficult days after the shooting. Behind the scenes, he took on the role of comforter-in-chief for the families of the five who were murdered. He says this weekend gave him the opportunity to reconnect with the families, the students who were injured, and the community.

Northern Illinois University President John Peters stayed in his position at the school longer than he had planned so he could reach this day: the fifth anniversary of the shooting in Cole Hall, where five students were killed and 21 others were injured.

Thursday marked the 5th anniversary of the campus shootings at Northern Illinois University. Scores of people, including NIU leaders, Governor Pat Quinn, and many first responders, gathered at the campus memorial site to remember the five students who lost their lives that day.

Gayle Dubowski, Catalina Garcia, Julianna Gehant, Ryanne Mace and Daniel Parmenter died and 21 others were injured when a lone gunman opened fire inside Cole Hall on February 14th 2008.